If entrepreneurship is a difficult journey, it is even more so in Madagascar, especially in these times of economic recession. This is why idea holders, and young people in particular, need all the more support in the realisation of their projects.
More than 10 years ago, DHL, the world’s leading transport company and one of the largest employers in the world, launched its GoTeach program in Madagascar. The aim was to support young Madagascans in need by opening up employment opportunities and preparing them for an independent life. DHL offered the young people a first experience of the world of work, including professional meetings with employees of the group. The Deutsche Post DHL Group worked with two partners in this project: Teach for All and SOS Children’s Villages.
From 2009 to 2019, the GoTeach project has implemented 41 activities for young people in the areas of employment, mentoring, exposure to the world of work, internships and training, discovery of professions and visits to companies. As a result, the program was able to reach no less than 4,858 young people, while 230 DHL employee volunteers worked nearly 9,200 volunteer hours to carry out the activities. Globally, GoTeach has been implemented in 47 countries, reaching over 10,000 young people worldwide!
A unique opportunity
Since June, 150 young people from Madagascar have been trained in entrepreneurship by GoTeach’s partner professionals. The objective was to advise and guide these young entrepreneurs from Antsirabe, Toamasina and Antananarivo within the framework of the entrepreneurial competition to achieve a concrete and sustainable project. And to round off this year’s GoTeach project, SOS Children’s Villages and DHL organized an entrepreneurial competition. In this way, they were able to help 17 young people realize their entrepreneurial projects. The final of the competition took place this November 24 in Antananarivo.
The process was carried out in three stages. First, the 50 candidates in each city had to be taught the basics of entrepreneurship. Then 25 of them were selected to draw up their business plan. Finally, only about fifteen made it to the final. There, they presented their pitch to a jury. After that, 5 entrepreneurs per city (so 15 in total) were granted financial and material support by DHL and SOS Children’s Villages. The development of traditional agricultural and livestock practices in Madagascar was one of the projects submitted by the young candidates. However, they were advised to respect the environmental principles of DHL GoGreen in the development of their respective projects.
Now, the 15 winners will be accompanied for at least 15 months by DHL volunteer coaches locally and around the world, who will help them realize their projects!
